Practice Report – April 9, 2015

Quite a few notes from today’s session as FC Dallas prepares for their game tomorrow against the Colorado Rapids with a light day of practice that started with a volleyball session where the losing team had to take direct penalty kicks from the winners. A lot of work on set pieces as well along with a light scrimmage which all are common the day before the game.

Mauro Diaz Update

Mauro Diaz continued his “different work” today after training for much of the session on Tuesday, then not working yesterday. The Argentine midfielder did light training on the side today. Most of the work he did today resembled work players do to strengthen and recover from a hamstring issue, and only worked out half the time before heading back in. For the game Friday, that makes it seem doubtful Diaz will play.

Dan Kennedy Back In Training

The former Chivas USA netminder was in training for the first time in over 2 weeks, and did light training as well. It is good for Dallas that Jesse Gonzalez has looked very solid again this week as Kennedy is just now starting to train again with the team and probably has some work to do before he is ready to be a part of the 18 again.

Stephen Keel Not In Training

The glaring omission in practice today was veteran Stephen Keel. Pareja said that the defender is having a procedure done on his foot, but did not explain any further. The timetable or what all the procedure consisted of is unknown, but it appears Keel has suffered a setback in trying to return.

Arizona United Bound?

The other question with the roster is when we could see players be loaned to Arizona. Pareja said he thinks that two players could be sent down there soon to get play time. The staff knows this roster is thin and will probably not send anymore than two down there. For a reference to which players might be considered to head to the desert, see HERE.